Rare Moments of Princess Diana in the '80s

"Shy Di" in all of her glory

By
Sadie Hechkoff

Jun 24, 2019

Getty Images

To this day, Princess Diana of Wales has maintained her status as one of the most influential members of the royal family. Since marrying Prince Charles in 1981, the world became enamored with the People's Princess. Frequently dubbed "the world's most photographed woman," she was known for her warm demeanor, expressive style, charity work, and an unstable marriage. Ever since her tragic death in 1997, her reach has proved eternal. Diana has been the inspiration of many clothing collections, even being credited as the main source of inspiration for Virgil Abloh's Off-White Spring/Summer 2018 show–each piece was inspired by her signature looks. Ahead, CR remembers the Princess in one of the most memorable decades of her life.

Getty Images

1980

Princess Diana, nicknamed "Shy Di," hides her face from paparazzi after her relationship with Prince Charles was revealed. This relationship was controversial from the start, due to the fact that Princess Diana (then Lady Diana Spencer) had first met Prince Charles while he was dating her older sister, Lady Sarah.

1 of 17

Tom Stoddart ArchiveGetty Images

1980

Days before her heavily rumored engagement to Prince Charles was announced to the public, the Princess sits in her car outside her Earls Court flat in London.

2 of 17

Getty Images

1980

Diana leaves her London flat the week before receiving an invitation to the Queen's house, which did not do much to quell the engagement rumors.

3 of 17

Getty Images

1981

Prince Charles of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer got engaged in February of 1981. Her famous engagement ring featured 14 solitaire diamonds surrounding a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold.

4 of 17

Tim Graham Photo LibraryGetty Images

1981

On February 24th of 1981, Lady Diana Spencer became Princess Diana–the first Englishwoman in hundreds of years to marry an heir apparent.

5 of 17

Getty Images

1981

Princess Diana visits Tetbury, Gloucestershire in May, 1981. Known for her friendly demeanor, Diana smiles at the crowd of people who had gathered to welcome her to the small county in South West England.

6 of 17

Getty Images

1982

Princess Diana looks posh in all pink at the Westminster Pier waiting to meet Beatrix of the Netherlands during their November 16th state visit.

7 of 17

Getty Images

1983

The Princess of Wales sits pretty in Alice Springs, Australia at the Princess Diana March.

8 of 17

Getty Images

1984

Princess Diana gave birth to her second son, Harry, on September 15th in the same hospital as his older brother, William. At this time, things were rough for the family–there were rumors circulating about the deterioration of the royal marriage as a result of extra-marital affairs on both ends.

9 of 17

Getty Images

1984

Diana, William, and Harry, go skiing in Liechtenstein, Austria. It is speculated that this trip, attended by Prince Charles as well, was meant to squash rumors that their marriage was falling apart.

10 of 17

Vanity Fair

1985

Princess Diana dances with a young John Travolta at a White House dinner hosted by Nancy and Ronald Regan.

11 of 17

Getty Images

1987

Diana presents her husband with a trophy at Guards Polo Club, amidst the harsh extra-marital affair rumors that surrounded them.

12 of 17

Getty Images

1987

Diana and her two sons relax during a family vacation in Majorca, Spain.

13 of 17

Getty Images

1987

At the Cannes Film Festival, Diana wears a gown that she personally asked Catherine Walker to design based on the dress worn by Grace Kelly in the 1955 film To Catch a Thief.

14 of 17

Getty Images

1988

The princess sports vintage white Reeboks while playing tennis, which she practiced regularly, with German tennis champion Steffi Graf.

15 of 17

Getty Images

1989

Diana walks the red carpet in Bruce Oldfield during the premiere of When Harry Met Sally.

16 of 17

Getty Images

1989

Ever stylish, Princess Diana arrives in New York City wearing a blue silk tunic, paired with a pearl necklace.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
CR Fashion Book participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.